Device For Crushing And/Or Cutting Material, As Well As A Piercing Element, Suitable For Mounting To The Free Nose End Of A Mouth Of Such A Device

ABSTRACT

A device for breaking and/or cutting material, comprising a frame to be coupled to the boom of an excavation machine or the like, a first jaw provided with a first cutting surface, which takes up a fixed position relative to the frame in use, a second jaw provided with a second cutting surface and a free nose end, which second jaw works together with the first jaw and which is pivotable about a pivot relative to the frame, toward and away from the first jaw, wherein the second jaw is provided with an exchangeable piercing element at its free nose end for piercing the material to be broken and/or cut.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional patentapplication Ser. No. 61/726,118 filed Nov. 14, 2012, which isincorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The invention relates to a device for breaking and/or cutting material,comprising a frame to be coupled to the boom of an excavation machine orthe like, a first jaw provided with a first cutting surface, which takesup a fixed position relative to the frame in use, a second jaw providedwith a second cutting surface and a free nose end, which second jawworks together with the first jaw and which is pivotable about a pivotrelative to the frame, toward and away from the first jaw, wherein thesecond jaw is provided with an exchangeable piercing element at its freenose end for piercing the material to be broken and/or cut, wherein thepiercing element is made up of two element parts, which element partscan be mounted on the free nose end on either side thereof, and whereineach element part is made up of a piercing part, which abuts against thecorresponding piercing part of the other element part, and a flange partthat extends along the free nose end.

2. Description of the Related Art

The invention also relates to a piercing element suitable for beingmounted on the free nose end of a jaw of a device according to theinvention for breaking and/or cutting material.

Such a device, also called scrap cutter, is known, for example fromDutch patent application no. 8902608 or from US patent application US2004/0093739, it is used for cutting and reducing in particular metalscrap (sheets, iron sections, cables, etc.). One of the cutting jaws,preferably the pivotable cutting jaw, is provided with a detachablepiercing element (also called piercing tip), which is made of a hardened(tool) steel. Whilst the cutting jaws are used for working metal scrap,the piercing element is used for piercing sheets and sections, so thatlarge pieces of sheet metal can be cut. A piercing element can alsofunction to guide the pivotable jaw between the cutting surfaces of thefirst, fixed jaw.

The piercing element from US 2004/0093739 is made up of two parts and ismounted on the pivotable jaw. Extreme forces exerted during use createmechanical problems, in particular at the location where the piercingelement is mounted (screwed) to the cutting jaw. Bad or incorrect use ofa scrap cutter provided with such a piercing element can lead to thepiercing element breaking off and/or to the free nose end of the second,pivotable cutting jaw being deformed by asymmetrical forces, as aconsequence of which the functionality and eventually the life of thescrap cutter will be adversely affected. In particular if mechanicalforces cannot be absorbed sufficiently symmetrically and be deflectedvia the frame, high material stresses can concentrate in one point ofattachment of the piercing element to the cutting jaw, resulting inlocal deformation (liquefaction) of the (metal) material near thespecific point of attachment.

The deformation of the piercing element and/or the free nose end of thepivotable cutting jaw can lead to the pivotable cutting jaw blockingbetween the cutting surfaces of the first, fixed cutting jaw, resultingin a total failure, if not write-off, of the scrap cutter.

The object of the invention is to obviate the above drawbacks and toprovide a device (scrap cutter) as described in the introduction whichis provided with a piercing element, which device on the one hand is ofsimple construction and which furthermore is better capable ofwithstanding the forces that occur, thus preventing deformation of ordamage to the piercing element and/or the cutting jaw.

In order to prevent the two flange parts moving relative to each otherand to the free nose end and deforming as a result of the forces thatoccur, the two piercing parts as well as the free nose end are accordingto the invention provided with coinciding slots, in which a locking pincan be received. The locking pin provides a form-locked whole consistingof the two separate piercing parts and the free nose end of the cuttingjaw, as a result of which movement of the piercing parts relative to thefree nose end and relative to each other caused by (asymmetrical) forcesis prevented.

The piercing parts of the two element parts can be connected together soas to obtain correct dimensions and realise a form-locked contactsurface for breaking and/or cutting the scrap material. Not only doesthis make mounting easier, but in addition to that forces will beabsorbed and deflected more efficiently.

Furthermore, in order to make an efficient deflection of forces from theconstruction possible, the flange parts of the two element parts andalso the nose end are provided with through holes, in which fixing boltscan be received.

In order to prevent the piercing element from becoming detached from thefree nose end as a result of deformation caused by the forces thatoccur, the through holes are in a straight line with the coincidingslots.

In order to achieve an effective form-locked retainment of the piercingelement relative to the free nose end, the device is characterised inthat the flange part that extends along the free nose end can bereceived in a recess formed in the free nose end.

More specifically, in a functional embodiment the two piercing partsabut against the side of the free nose end that faces the first jaw,thus forming a contact surface which not only protects the free nose endbut which also effectively deflects forces.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention provides a device for breaking and/or cutting material,comprising

-   -   a frame to be coupled to the boom of an excavation machine,    -   a first jaw provided with a first cutting surface, which takes        up a fixed position relative to the frame in use,    -   a second jaw provided with a second cutting surface and a free        nose end, which second jaw works together with the first jaw and        which is pivotable about a pivot relative to the frame, toward        and away from the first jaw, wherein    -   the second jaw is provided with an exchangeable piercing element        at its free nose end for piercing a material to be broken and/or        cut,    -   wherein the piercing element comprises two element parts, which        element parts are mounted on the free nose end on either side        thereof, and wherein each element part comprises a piercing        part, which abuts against a corresponding piercing part of the        other element part, and a flange part that extends along the        free nose end, wherein the two piercing parts as well as the        free nose end are provided with coinciding slots, in which a        locking pin can be received.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will now be explained in more detail with reference to adrawing, in which:

FIG. 1 shows a device for breaking and/or cutting material, which isprovided with a piercing element according to the invention;

FIG. 2 shows an embodiment of a piercing element according to theinvention;

FIG. 3 is an exploded view of a piercing element according to theinvention;

FIG. 4 is a view of a piercing element according to the invention inassembled position;

FIG. 5 is a detail view of the free nose end of a cutting jaw of adevice according to FIG. 1 provided with a piercing element according tothe invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

For a better understanding of the invention, like parts will beindicated by the same numerals in the description of the figures below.

FIG. 1 discloses a device according to the invention for breaking and/orcutting material. The device comprises a frame 10 provided with aconnecting plate 11, by means of which the frame can be connected to aboom (not shown) of an excavation machine. The connecting plate 11 isoptionally provided with a rotary part 12, so that the frame 10 can berotated to any desired position.

The frame 10 is provided with a first jaw 13, which takes up a fixedposition relative to the frame 10. The first jaw 13 is provided withcutting surfaces 13 a and 13 b. The frame 10 is also provided with asecond jaw 14, which is pivotable relative to the frame about a pivot16. The second jaw is likewise provided with at least one cuttingsurface 14 a.

Using suitable hydraulic driving means, the frame 10 can on the one handbe rotated by means of the rotary part 12, but it is also possible tomove the second jaw 14 towards and away from the first jaw 13, duringwhich movement the second jaw 14 pivots about the pivot 16.

Material clamped between the two jaws 13 and 14 can thus be cut orbroken by means of the various cutting surfaces 13 a-13 b-14 a.

The free nose end 14 b of the second jaw 14 is provided with anexchangeable piercing element 15. Such an exchangeable piercing elementis generally made of a hardened type of steel and is suitable forpiercing material, in particular metal sheets or sections, in order tomake cutting by the two jaws 13 and 14 possible.

As shown in FIGS. 2, 3 and 4, the piercing element 15 is made up of twoelement parts 150 a-150 b, which can be mounted on either side of thefree nose end 14 b. Each element part 150 a-150 b is made up of apiercing part 151 a-151 b, which piercing parts each blend into a flangepart 157 a-157 b.

As clearly shown in FIG. 2, the two element parts 150 a-15 b are mountedon the free nose end 14 b of the second jaw 14 in such a manner that thetwo piercing parts 151 a-151 b surround the free nose end while abuttingagainst each other. The flange parts 157 a-157 b also extend along thefree nose end 14 b. The second jaw 14 is to that end provided withrecesses 142 a and 142 b, respectively, near the free nose end, eachrecess being bounded by an upright edge 141 in which the respectiveflange parts 157 a and 157 b fit. The upright edge 141 of each recess142 a-142 b functions as an abutment edge for the two flange parts, sothat forces exerted on the piercing element 15 can be effectivelydeflected to the second jaw 14 without the risk of displacement ordeformation of the two element parts 150 a -150 b.

To make suitable mounting possible, the two flange parts 157 a-157 b areprovided with holes 155 a-155 b, which holes coincide with correspondingholes 140 in the free nose end 14 b of the second jaw 14. The holes 155a-155 b may or may not be provided with an internal screw thread, whichis to mate with a bolt 156. Likewise, the two piercing parts 151 a-151 bare provided with holes 158, in which bolts 154 can be received.

In order to prevent the two element parts from becoming detached duringuse as a result of the forces being exerted and due to displacement ordeformation of the material at the location of the mounting holes, thepiercing element is provided with a locking pin 153, which can bereceived in slots 152 a-152 b formed in each element part 150 a, 150 b,respectively, and a slot 140 a formed in the free nose end 14 b of thesecond jaw 14. The slots 152 a-152 b and 140 a are positioned tocoincide when the two element parts are mounted on the free nose end,thus forming a cylindrical chamber in which the locking pin 153 can bereceived. The locking pin 153 is configured as a cylindrical memberhaving external dimensions identical to the internal dimensions of thecylindrical chamber that is formed by the semi-cylindrical slots 152a-152 b. With regard to another embodiment it is noted that the holes155 a and 155 b, respectively, are in a straight line with the positionof the locking pin 153 in the cylindrical chambers formed by the slots152 a-152 b and 140 a.

This prevents deformation and detachment of the connection of the twoelement parts in the recess 142 a-142 b of the cutting jaw 14.

The two element parts 150 a and 150 b are provided with mating,interlocking profiles for additionally locking the two element partstogether during mounting and preventing the two elements parts frommoving relative to each other. More specifically, said profiles 160a-160 b are provided in the abutting—during mounting—surfaces of thepiercing parts 151 a-151 b. The mating profiles consist of a recess 160a and a raised part 160 b, which extend over the two abutting faces ofthe piercing parts 151 a-151 b. During mounting, the raised part 160 bslips into the recess 160 a, thereby additionally retaining the elementparts 150 a-150 b and securing them against the (shearing) forces actingthereon.

The mating profiles 160 a-160 b may of course also consist ofprojections (formed on the contacting surface of one piercing part)which—during mounting—slip into corresponding openings (formed in thecontact surface of the other piercing part).

Being mounted on the free nose end 14 b of the cutting jaw 14, the twoelement parts 150 a-150 b thus form a stable, form-locked shoeconstruction. It is preferable to place the two element parts 150 a-150b on the free nose end 14 b simultaneously with the locking pin 153.This ensures a good mechanical, form-locked retainment of the individualparts.

Since the locking pin 153 is located on the contact surface between thepiercing parts 151 a-151 b and the end that faces the first jaw 13, anadequate retainment is thus ensured and unintentional detachment of thepiercing element from the free nose end 14 b (due to the forces beingexerted in use) is prevented. As it is, a solid and firm, form-lockedconstruction is thus obtained. The piercing element 15 can only be movedout of the recess 142 a and along the upright edge 141 in the directionX (see arrow X in FIG. 5), but because of the presence of the lockingpin 153, which only allows movement in the direction Y (arrow Y in FIG.5), the piercing element 15 cannot move in any direction, barringsplitting into parts or deforming. The latter is prevented by thepresence of the bolts 154-156.

This manner of mounting and retainment on the free nose end 14 b alsomakes it possible to place the bolts 156 and the associated holes140-155 a-155 b relatively far from the free nose end 14 b, so that theoverall construction will thus not be unnecessarily weakened. After all,the free nose end 14 b directly adjacent to the element parts 150 a-15 bis that part of the moving cutting jaw 14 where extreme materialstresses occur, and by placing the holes 140-155 a-155 b, which in factweaken the material, as far away from the free nose end 14 b aspossible, the load on the free nose end 14 b will be reduced as much aspossible.

The element parts 150 a-150 b are connected together over the free noseend 14 b by means of bolts 154, which bolts (in contrast to the bolts156) do not extend through the free nose end 14 b, however.

What is claimed is:
 1. A device for breaking and/or cutting material, comprising a frame to be coupled to the boom of an excavation machine, a first jaw provided with a first cutting surface, which takes up a fixed position relative to the frame in use, a second jaw provided with a second cutting surface and a free nose end, which second jaw works together with the first jaw and which is pivotable about a pivot relative to the frame, toward and away from the first jaw, wherein the second jaw is provided with an exchangeable piercing element at its free nose end for piercing a material to be broken and/or cut, wherein the piercing element comprises two element parts, which element parts are mounted on the free nose end on either side thereof, and wherein each element part comprises a piercing part, which abuts against a corresponding piercing part of the other element part, and a flange part that extends along the free nose end, wherein the two piercing parts as well as the free nose end are provided with coinciding slots, in which a locking pin can be received.
 2. The device according to claim 1, wherein the piercing parts of the two element parts can be connected together.
 3. The device according to claim 1, wherein the flange parts of the two element parts and also the nose end are provided with through holes, in which fixing bolts can be received.
 4. The device according to claim 3, wherein the through holes are in a straight line with the coinciding slots.
 5. The device according to claim 1, wherein the flange part that extends along the free nose end can be received in a recess formed in the free nose end.
 6. The device according to claim 1, wherein the two piercing parts abut against the side of the free nose end that faces the first jaw.
 7. The device according to claim 1, wherein the two piercing parts have interlocking profiles.
 8. A piercing element mounted on the free nose end of a jaw of a device for breaking and/or cutting material according to claim
 1. 